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Quote Sheet: Fire vs. D.C. United

Quote Sheet: Fire vs. D.C. United

Quote Sheet

Chicago Fire vs. D.C. United

Toyota Park – Bridgeview, Ill. – July 20, 2013

Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire Head Coach

On what came together tonight and the team’s momentum

“The difference tonight was just finishing our chances. We had chances the last game and it was important how we would respond. So I think this was a crucial game we were playing, regardless of where this team is in the standings. They have quality players and you can’t underestimate anyone and I felt that the fast goals helped. We had chances, we put the chances away, and we defended very well as a team. We did very well as a team and I give a lot of credit to my players for the effort, the attitude they put into the game and their commitment over 90 minutes. I think this is a crucial part for us in the season, the next six weeks there are a lot of games we need to pick up points to be in that race and then we also have an opportunity in the semi final Open Cup game to be one step closer to where we can be playing for a championship, to win that trophy. It’s a crucial month, six weeks, and its important now at home to get points and also find a way to get points on the road. It was a great effort by the group today.”

On Joel Lindpere’s play tonight

“We started him at Columbus and he did the same. It’s about the team, I just felt that everyone had a good performance, they played well, and we won as a team today and that’s what it’s all about. We have talked throughout the season about guys needing to [perform] when the opportunity comes and Joel is an experienced guy. I had no problem. I have 100 percent confidence in Joel when he comes into the game and his work rate and all that stuff he showed tonight. It was a very good performance by the team and I give credit to the team so we need to obviously move forward. It was an important win for us and now we have to regroup and get ready for a top match next week because this game is over. We have to prepare for the game in Houston now.”

On Dilly Duka’s leaving the game and Quincy Amarikwa coming in for him

“At halftime Dilly [Duka] didn’t really say anything and when I came out they were warming up and preparing for the second half and he said that he had an issue with his hamstring or his groin, we will have to see tomorrow. Quincy [Amarikwa], that decision, we knew scoring the third goal, we knew that they were going to push the game. Both the goals came on a break for us and we felt that with his pace, they were trying to push the game and get back into it. We knew we would have space to play into depth. He is a guy that brings energy, his work rate, and his pace to get behind helps. Moments like that he’s been good and he’s played well, not only the times he’s come in, but also in the reserve matches. I think that is positive for him and also for the rest of the guys.”

On if any reserve player is really standing out

“We just have to see. Obviously [this week] we don’t have a mid-week game we just have to really see with injuries more than anything and see how guys are feeling through this week.”

On the challenges of integrating a player while maintaining team chemistry

“I think it’s important when you bring a guy in that he fits in with the group, that he can adapt quickly and it’s all about the team. That player has to realize that he has to sacrifice and do anything he can for the team. For us, that’s the most important thing when we bring a guy in.”

On Chris Rolfe’s performance

“It was great. I thought Chris [Rolfe] had opportunities last game and I think both goals were great finishes, and I think his movement was very good. The first ball that Joel [Lindpere] played to him, his movement; it was just a fantastic goal. The second one also came on a break through ball and his finish [was great]. Chris has that kind of quality. I think more than anything today, besides his goals, his work rate was fantastic. You can play him out wide he’s willing to do the work. When you have him on top he’s very dangerous, he’s a very technical player. And when you get him around the goal he makes plays like that. I think that the goals and his movement today was fantastic and I was very happy for him to rebound from last week and some of the opportunities he’s had.”

Chris Rolfe, Chicago Fire forward

On his first goal:

“I think our combination play was really good tonight, we had a lot of three men combinations and the timing was on for the most part. I got behind a few times, Mike [Magee] got in once and Dilly [Duka] was beating his guy – it was a good first half in particular.”

On converting an early opportunity for a goal:

“It helps the whole team. We have all been talking about how important it was for us to score first, and then we ended up getting the second one in the first 15 minutes – that changes the whole outlook of the game for us.”

On Joel Lindpere’s performance:

“Joel [Lindpere] had a great game coming in again after not playing in the last couple. He is really stepping up and helping the team, I’m happy for him.”

On Lindpere’s off-field contributions:

“Like most of the guys in this locker room, he’s had a great team spirit, he’s been very positive and that helps. It shows when he comes in tonight and does a great job.”

On the potential of the team bringing in another striker and its affect on his performance:

“It doesn’t affect it at all. If anything it’s exciting. I hope they do bring in another guy if it’s going to help the team win. I think it’s important for any team or organization to bring talent in to make us more competitive.”

Joel Lindpere, Chicago Fire Midfielder

On his performance tonight

"Wednesday, in the reserve game I gave an assist, last game, in Vancouver, I gave an assist, Columbus I gave an assist, so I think I've been doing my job how I like to do it and how I have to do it. I love to play so if you can enjoy playing, then it’s a good thing."

On the difficulties of staying ready when he isn't starting

"I don’t know when I didn't play three games from the start. But that means I'm doing my job. I think I've been starting most of my career but that’s the way it is. It's a team game. Like I said, I will try to find myself always to do my job and help the team. It doesn't matter if I start next game or I don’t start, I really hope that we take something for the road trip from this game. We have won only one road game and with the season at this point we have to be smart. For next week we need to concentrate because we don't play at home. Home advantage is so big and we have to get a good start for this game.”

Ben Olsen, D.C. United Head Coach

On the positives from the match:

“[The goal] is a bright spot, I suppose. It was a good goal. It’s good to get him off the mark. It was just a day where no one on our team had a good day.”

On the team playing better in the second half:

“Yes, but it was 3-0 at that point. It’s easy to have momentum and play with nothing to lose when it’s 3-0. I’m looking for us to play for nothing to lose from the start. We learned some lessons tonight. I think some of our young guys learned a lot tonight, so maybe that’s a positive. Chicago was very good tonight. I don’t want to make this about us too much because that would take away from the performance of Chicago. I thought Rolfe and Magee’s relationship is becoming very clever. They’re both bright players. They get it. They play off each other very well right now. They are tough to deal with. We just didn’t have an answer for those two. And then you give up an early goal, and you’re chasing the game the whole time. It’s a tough team to chase because the weapons they have up top. All credit to them. They were very good tonight.”

On facing New England:

“We’ll regroup. We’ve had a lot of losses this year. We will continue to regroup, and continue to try and get better. Again, I think the positive is for some of our young guys tonight that went into a tough place to play and learned some lessons. As long as we can learn from that stuff, I think we’ll move forward.”

John Thorrington, D.C. United Midfielder and Captain

On the match:

“The only positive I see is that I hope we remember what this feels like and I hope it never happens again. [We played] not good enough. Didn’t carry out our game plan, not enough guys ready to do what it takes to win a game. It’s not just coincidence that we won two games this year. It hurts. It sucks. It hurts the coaches, it hurts the players, but it’s no good for us to hurt now, the game is done. We lost 4-1. I guess you could say there were some moments where we played well, but when you give up four goals, you just have to play like Barcelona and we didn’t.”

On playing games now like the team has nothing to lose:

“I don’t see why we aren’t already. Given where we are in the table, a game should matter more to us more than anybody in the league, so it doesn’t matter who we are playing against, they are above us in the table. We should be fighting and scrapping for every point get can get at this point. Tonight wasn’t our night. I’ve been on a lot of teams in the league, I know this isn’t a bad group of players, I know it’s not a bad coaching staff, I know there is something here but for whatever reason it hasn’t been working. We’ve showed signs in the last month so maybe we can start a bit of a turn around. Tonight it’s hard to see a silver lining.”

Luis Silva, D.C. United Forward

On his goal:

“I was asking for the ball and Perry saw me in a good hole, right in the middle. I knew I had time and space, so why not try it. I decided to take the shot, and it went in.”

On breaking the shut out:

“Yes, it was [a relief]. We needed a goal and to stay in the game and we got it. I think we played well in the second half.”

On the team’s play in the second half:

“I think we came out really slow and they ran at us. They got their chances and they put them away. I think in the second half we came out with more energy, and we felt the game was equal. We had to take our chances.”

On facing New England:

“We have the right tools; we just have to put them together. We have to work as a team, defending as a team, and attack as a team as well. We know it’s 11 versus 11, and if we do our job, if everyone does their job, we’ll be fine.”